Mixed fortunes in County Cup

3:28pm Wednesday 19th November 2008

LAPSES in concentration cost Downton dear as they lost away to Corsham Town on penalties after a 4-4 thriller.

The Toolstation Western Premier Division side took the lead, and Matt Alford equalised but Corsham were ahead again by half-time.

Matt Baker levelled with a quality free-kick, before Colin Hopkins saved a penalty.

They were ahead for the first time in the match when Craig Baker repeated his brother’s trick from a free-kick.

He then did well to spread the ball wide for Scott Donaldson who crossed for Jack Smith to score his first goal for the club, and seemingly wrap up the tie.

But Corsham, who held the trophy for three straight years prior to last season, pulled one back with five minutes to go and forced extra-time with 30 seconds to play in normal time.

There were no goals in added period prompting a penalty shoot-out.

Tony Camilleri hit the post with Downton’s fifth penalty to allow Corsham to triumph 5-4.

“I am gutted,” said Robins manager Jeff Softley. “Corsham play at a higher level than us, but we outplayed them.

“We were really good on the ball, especially in midfield.

“I was really impressed with both Matt and Craig Baker, and Jack Smith worked really hard up front.

“Colin Hopkins saved the penalty in normal time and also made an unbelievable save from a one-on-one.”

Softley refused to blame his players for throwing the lead away.

“Considering we were missing the injured Matt Holmes, Kev Thick and Shaun Hartley, we performed really well.

“They worked their socks off for me and we are not losing by many at the moment.

“Penalties are a lottery and there was a lot of pressure on Tony Camilleri at the end.”

Missed chances yet again proved costly as Shrewton United were squeezed out of the competition, 3-2 at Calne Town.

After enjoying the lion’s share of the early chances but failing to convert them into goals, the Shrews fell behind on the stroke of half-time and were playing catch-up for the rest of the match.

Goals from Dean Foot and Craig Lewis kept them in contention but their efforts to secure an equaliser and take the tie into extra time proved fruitless.

Boss Stuart Withers praised his side’s improved display adding: “It was a good performance but we didn’t take our chances and we ended up suffering for it.”

Amesbury Town were knocked out of a cup competition for the second time this season by Western Premier side Melksham Town, who beat them 2-0 at Bonny Mead in the FA Vase.

This time it was by a more emphatic margin as Melksham ran out 5-0 winners.

Nathanial Auckland’s powerful 12th-minute strike opened the scoring.

Lance Cooper evaded three challenges and fired in a shot which Gareth Evans nearly spilled at the feet of Nic Turpin, but Melksham made it 2-0 just before the half-hour when Jonny Devoile volleyed in.

The Blues kept pushing for a way back into the tie, and Lukasz Labedzki’s 20-yard effort rebounded to him. He skilfully flicked it out to Nathan Jones, whose low cross into the box almost found Turpin.

After the break Turpin’s shot was superbly saved one-handed by Evans and Wayne Thorne headed the loose ball clear from under the bar.

Melksham increased the lead soon after when David Macey finished on the rebound after Danny Harrison saved well from Devoile.

Greg Tindle grabbed the fourth, and Danny Baker netted from close range with nine minutes to go.

On Saturday Amesbury travel to in-form Ring-wood Town, who are unbeaten in five games.

Laverstock & Ford joined Bemerton Heath Harlequins in the next round of the competition by defeating New College Swindon 2-1 on Tuesday evening.